Method of cleaning ink residues off an inkjet head

Abstract

A method for cleaning ink residues off an inkjet print head includes applying a cleaning agent to a surface of the inkjet print head and then removing the cleaning agent from the surface. The surface has nozzle openings. The cleaning agent is applied to the surface as a gel, in particular as a gel that has a purely physical cleaning effect. This allows inkjet print heads to be cleaned in a simple way with very good results while avoiding the disadvantages connected with liquid cleaning agents, such as dripping off.

1 . A method for cleaning ink residues from an inkjet print head, the method comprising the following steps:
 providing the inkjet print head with a surface containing nozzle openings;   applying a cleaning agent as a gel to the surface of the inkjet print head; and   removing the cleaning agent.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises keeping the gel on the surface for a period of time between the applying step and the removing step to produce an effect. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the period of time is in a range between approximately 1 second and approximately 10 minutes. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the period of time is in a range between approximately 10 seconds and approximately 3 minutes. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the gel has a substantially purely physical cleaning effect and removes the ink residues adhering to the surface. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the gel removes the ink residues by undermining or infiltrating. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the gel does not contain any solvent other than water. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises:
 providing the gel in a cap; and   moving the cap close to the surface or bringing the cap into contact with the surface.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises carrying out the step of applying the gel to the surface by using a blade or a roller. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises controlling the inkjet print head by moving ink in at least one nozzle. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , which further comprises moving the ink back and forth in the at least one nozzle. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , which further comprises controlling the inkjet print head by sucking the gel into the at least one nozzle. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises at least one of dabbing, sucking or rinsing the gel and the ink residues off the surface.